Samba, sex and self-loathing by Syd Kelly
Amy, the proud owner of a geriatric womb but a sensational libido is absolutely terrified of turning forty and appears to be on a collision course of self-destruction via her addiction of cocaine, booze, masturbating, and having sex with utter arseholes (sometimes literally).
On the verge of losing her reputable job, shrouded in her mother’s disapproval and constantly being rescued by her unimpressed brother, after drinking enough in cubic meters to fill a lake, Amy decides to run away to her beloved Rio de Janeiro, in search of her happily ever after.
Reuniting with her gorgeous, ex-pat, lady friends who are as equally promiscuous and tragic as she and needing to get knee-deep in Latino lovers before settling down, she accidently falls in love with a twenty-three-year-old. Not entirely what she’d planned. Amy starts to realise that perhaps happily ever after isn’t quite what she is searching for after all.
Samba, sex and self-loathing delves into contemporary social pressures for women in their late thirties, with wit and realism. Set in the exotic but dangerous city of Rio de Janeiro, this book touches on the highs and lows of Brazilian culture, from colourful carnival to life-threatening shoot-outs. It’s a tale of friendship between four independent women and one philandering closeted bi-sexual man. Enjoying the perks of living in Brazil- that being hot, passionate lovers everywhere. All searching for love and happiness in their own misguided way.
Amy’s multinational besties include:
Anka- the straight-talking Russian, a successful business tycoon, opposed to monogamy and partial to a swingers’ club.
Scottish Hannah- disillusioned by men but deafened by her Big Ben biological clock.
Irish Roisin- a serial dater, desperate for love and then finding it with an ex-sex worker.
Finally, rampant local Leandro- who is trapped in his metaphorical closet, forced shut by his evangelical parents.
Description
Find more from this author on:
Amazon
Author Site
GoodReads
FacebookAbout the author:
At the age of 16, Syd met her nose ringed, patchwork trouser wearing, dreadlocked boyfriend who was saving to go travelling. It was a no brainer that she would join him. They travelled extensively around Southeast Asia, cementing her addiction to faraway places and ingraining a need to travel whenever possible- thereafter always going solo. That was thirty-one years ago, and throughout her various careers as TV director, social worker and ESL teacher, her wanderlust continues. Whilst teaching English in Rio in 2017, Syd Kelly saw a writing competition advertised on social media for women who had travelled solo in Latin America. Having entered, her short story was chosen and included in ‘Alone Together: tales of sisterhood and solitude in Latin America’. Being dyslexic, this publication gave her the confidence to write her debut novel. ‘Samba, sex and self-loathing’ was 5 years in the making, snatching any nanosecond to write on the metro, frantically racing in between students whilst teaching English abroad or editing away in the evenings whilst fixing the injustices of the world as a social worker in the UK. The manuscript quickly becoming her boyfriend, addiction and tormentor. Beginning as a collection of anecdotes and tales she’d heard whilst travelling, the book began to weave together strong female characters based loosely on women she knew living in Rio and elsewhere. Syd is adamant that her novel is contemporary romance with a lot of sex woven in, rather than erotica. You decide. Syd finally self-published in 2022. She continues to pen her travel blog on syd-kelly.com and her second book is currently in the making.
What inspired you to write your book?
As above, my novel began as a collection of anecdotes and tales I'd heard whilst travelling, the book began to weave together strong female characters based loosely on women I knew living in Rio and elsewhere. Rio is my favourite city in the world so that was my inspiration.
Related products
-
Adultery by Maurilia Meehan
Ailsa took a deep breath. “Now, I didn’t come here to make a scene. I’m a practical woman. I trained as a zoologist. I understand men’s urges.”
And she does. Pragmatic and world-weary, Ailsa Trewen has confronted several mistresses over the course of her marriage to the philandering Sid. But her plans for an animal sanctuary and a quiet future take an unexpected turn when Sid’s death in the arms of his latest lover leaves her a wealthy widow and she invests in a thriving hotel.
Not just any hotel, but Hotel d’Amour, a luxurious retreat for the businessman and the ‘other woman’. If a quirk of fate can make Ailsa head such an establishment, she might as well put her position to good use. Over gourmet dinners at her ‘mistresses only’ nights, her clients shed their inhibitions and share their experiences, telling tales of lust, envy and revenge as they explore the agonies, ecstasies (and ironies) of adultery. And with shared experience comes some peace, and the promise of another kind of sanctuary for Ailsa… wickedly amusing entertainment.
The Shamanic Prophecy by Heath Shedlake
In a hot and steaming rainforest in the mists of time a young man stands lonely and confused. Seeking solace from the wise and mysterious shaman he uncovers a dark and shocking secret about his past. In search of further answers he embarks upon a perilous quest into the beating heart of the impenetrable forest. Leaving his young love behind and with the company of his two life-long friends they depart with optimism and innocence. Little do they know of the dangers that lie in wait for them. What is the secret that propels them forward, will their friendship survive, will they reach their final destination…?
Hunting Dreamgirls: Dating Blondes, Brunettes & Redheads by David Woolf
HUNTING DREAMGIRLS is the box set adventure into the mysterious world of dating gorgeous Blondes, Brunettes and Redheads. Just when you thought you knew everything about the opposite sex, a revolutionary new book comes along to change the way you think about pursuing dreamgirls within a code of honor. Technique and methodology are blended with the secrets of attraction, and the art of seduction. Dating advice for men will never be the same when a man realizes that, at heart, he’s a hunter. He seeks opportunities to meet up with beautiful women, and learns how to find the best hunting grounds and the most effective ways to date these beauties. Then when he’s gained the necessary skills, he comes face-to-face with her, and finds a way to prevail. So, have courage. HUNTING DREAMGIRLS will help you in your dating adventurers, and know that the “good life” awaits you… like a hungry tiger.
Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden by Otessa Ghadar
You know that summer, right… the summer where EVERYTHING changed? Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden (OJBG) is that summer. And Bishop’s Garden is the place where it all happens. It’s the summer of ’94 and naive and rebellious teens are engaging in all kinds of underage tomfoolery. Think grunge, Doc Martens, raves, the invincibility of youth, and epic first loves.
This book details the lives of a group of teenagers navigating high school and growing up in DC during the 1990’s. It’s all about teen magic– creating new and marvelous mischief with best friends, listening to mix-tapes and reading Sassy magazines, missing the last Metro, and getting stuck miles from payphones. Accompany the young heroine, Sarah, as she gets herself into idle summer misbehaving, love triangle betrayals, and friendship fallouts. This is a story about what her life is like before school’s truly over and she knows it’s all going to change for good. It’s about the friends she’ll never forget, those first mistakes, and her childish dreams not yet polluted by reality. She and her friends will engage in typical teen idolatry of hot musicians and renegades. They’ll set each other up and tear each other down. They’ll crash house parties and realize that sometimes in life, there are no ‘do-overs.’ They’ll steal cars, candies, and hearts. They’ll make you wish you were a teen again.
This book contains the full collection of scripts from season one of the oldest and longest running teen web series, “Orange Juice in Bishop’s Garden.” And it’s the prequel to the epic romance between two teen girls that has become known as “The Sarah & Gwen Experience.” The love story develops in season 2 and spans to season 6. It’s part recollection, part urban legend, and part pure fiction, and completely inspired by the author’s memories of growing up in DC and the enchantment of her youth. The author, Otessa Ghadar, captures teen life as it is lived–dramatic, filled with self-discovery, and the pain of growing up. Together, as a whole, the stories and the characters ring true. Read the book and you’ll realize you’ve either been– or known– one of these characters before.
Venture into Bishop’s Garden and remember what it feels like to have your whole life ahead of you! Best part is, when you’re done reading, you can meet the characters by watching the webseries adaptation online (www.ojinbg.com).
Photographs and Souvenirs by Pamela Lawley Smith
Alice’s life is turned upside down after a strange phone call from someone in her past starts her on the road from the present to relive her life and journey of love. The saga of one woman in her early 60’s who came to age during the Vietnam War. Her love of a soldier from a different world and the couple who would travel that journey with them. From her unique childhood in Japan and Vietnam in the 40’s and back home to the United States for college in the 60’s to the present. The paths these four friends would take that leads them all to the war in Vietnam and promises that were made. The courage they find to relive that painful past and confront the truth. Told in flashbacks, Alice travels the journey of heartbreak and war. A story of love and friendship that is timeless.
Sound Bites: A Rock & Roll Love Story by Rachel K. Burke
Renee Evans has a knack for trouble. After walking in on her best friend and boyfriend in bed together, twenty-five year-old Renee flees sunny Los Angeles and her dream job as a music journalist and returns to her hometown of Boston – only to meet Dylan Cavallari, the mysterious, aspiring musician who lives in her apartment building. Dylan’s piercing gaze and womanizing demeanor make him exactly the type of guy that Renee should steer clear of – which is most likely the reason she falls for him. But when Renee’s troublesome ex comes back and threatens to drive her and Dylan apart, Renee is forced to face her past and save her relationship with Dylan before it’s too late.
Sound Bites dramatizes what happens when Renee finds herself caught between a painful past and an uncertain future. Happiness turns out to be within her grasp, but it all depends on whether she can trust herself enough to make the right decisions. Sound Bites is a novel about love, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and the power of music to help you find your way.
Fame Games- The Escape by Ali Stetson
Lahnna Kris is a world famous pop star but with her 30th birthday fast approaching and, as she stands on the brink of a year off, it’s time for her to re-think her life plan. Back home in England, surrounded by her family, she begins to re-acquaint herself with old friends and their ‘real life’ problems and realises that she too needs to start laying down some roots. The problem that Lahnna faces is, ‘how do you quit a job, when you are your job’?
Having seen many celebrities attempt the retreat from fame only to end up drawing more attention to themselves, Lahnna concocts a plan that will not only see her stepping out of the spotlight but see Stacey, her body double, stepping firmly into it.
Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page @DanaPage_author
Blythe Townsend is a belle in desperate need of having her chimes rung. But the man she is dating would have to get his head out of his briefs – his legal briefs – long enough to notice. She lives in the French Quarter with her dog, Lady Marmalade, and is determined not to go sour on love even though she has dated every nutcase along the Mississippi Delta. When she spots a man she christens Tall, Dark and Eye Candy, she starts to feel what she’s been missing. A lover of classic movies, she is going to have to reach down deep to find her inner big-shouldered broad to find something a little sweeter and overcome the obstacles that are about to be hurled at her like doubloons from a Mardi Gras parade.
